Bulgaria: Lukanov Ally Accuses Socialist Government Of Killing

Sofia, 4 October 1996 (RFE/RL) -- A political ally of Andrei Lukanov, the former Bulgarian Prime Minister who was shot dead this week, has blamed current Prime Minister Zhan Videnov's ruling circle for the killing.

In an interview with RFE/RL, Socialist Party member Andrei Raichev said Lukanov had told him the day before the shooting that he was about to expose corruption connected to party leaders. The interview was made yesterday.

Raichev said he himself did not know any details about the alleged corruption.

Raichev told RFE/RL he thought the killing was intended to silence dissent from anyone opposing Videnov's faction in the Socialist Party.

So far, neither Videnov nor any officials in his party faction have commented on Raichev's allegations, which were widely published today in the Bulgarian press.